Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin has received a contract valued at approximately $50 million to deliver laser-guided bomb (LGB) kits to the U.S. Air Force next year. The contract, for manufacture and delivery of GBU-12 kits, represents more than half of the U.S. Air Force's requirements for the current fiscal year.
“We are pleased to provide our Air Force customers a state-of-the-art system that converts free-fall bombs into precision-guided munitions,” said Cynthia Sailar, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin in Archbald, PA. The LGB's accuracy allows target destruction while reducing collateral damage and risks to U.S. and allied ground forces, Sailar explained. “This award ensures the continued fielding of a system that provides increased survivability and lower risk of collateral damage at an affordable cost,” she added.
“I am pleased to see that the Air Force has issued an award in the value of $50 million for the procurement of additional Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs),” said Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA). “This procurement speaks volumes about the capable and skilled industrial base we have in Pennsylvania. As a proponent of two suppliers for laser-guided weapons, I believe having more than one supplier of this key munition will help keep acquisition costs down, while at the same time providing our military with an essential tool for military operations.”
“The Lockheed Martin team in Archbald provides our military with an outstanding product at a great price,” said U.S. Rep. Don Sherwood (R-PA). “I am pleased that Lockheed Martin will continue to be a key supplier of LGB kits to the Air Force.”
Each guidance kit consists of a computer control group (CCG), which is the front-end guidance system, plus an air foil group (AFG), which includes flight fins providing lift and stability. The CCG uses a semi-active laser seeker and pneumatically-controlled guidance canards along with the AFG to direct munition to the target.
GBU-16 kits are used on 1,000-pound bombs, while GBU-10 and GBU-12 kits are used on 2,000- and 500-pound bombs, respectively. Lockheed Martin kits can be used by all Air Force, Navy and international aircraft currently authorized to carry and release LGBs. These kits have been used successfully in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war against terrorism.
As a qualified supplier of LGBs, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 25,000 kits to the Air Force, Navy and international customers. The Lockheed Martin LGB can be upgraded from laser-terminal guidance to dual-mode guidance by adding an all-weather global positioning system and inertial navigation system (GPS/INS) capability providing an affordable alternative to single guidance-mode weapons.
Lockheed Martin's facility in Archbald was awarded the 2005 Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence last March. Referred to by BusinessWeek magazine as the “Nobel prize of manufacturing”, the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing is awarded annually to companies that demonstrate world-class business results through the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles and practices. The prize is administered by The College of Business, Utah State University, in cooperation with several nonprofit and corporate organizations. The Archbald facility was also nominated one of 25 finalists of North America's Best Plant competition in the July issue of Industry Week magazine.
In addition to LGB kits and laser-guided training rounds, Lockheed Martin's facility in Archbald produces specialized instrumentation and control systems, and manufacturing services such as state-of-the-art metal crafting and electro-mechanical assemblies. The 350,000-square-foot facility, located in northeastern PA, designs, develops manufactures, tests and fields products for the U.S. Department of Defense, allied nations and industrial customers.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.
